Adult Blog

About the Book

All Allie Marshall wants is a fresh start. But when dark secrets refuse to stay buried, will her chance at a new life be shattered forever?Convicted of a crime she didn’t commit, Allie watched a decade of her life vanish – time that can never be recovered. Now, out on parole, Allie is determined to clear her name, rebuild her life, and reconnect with the daughter she barely knows.But Allie’s return home shatters the quaint, coastal community of Brunswick, Georgia. Even her own daughter Caroline, now a teenager, bristles at Allie’s claims of innocence. Refusing defeat, a stronger, smarter Allie launches a battle for the truth, digging deeply into the past even if it threatens her parole status, personal safety, and the already-fragile bond with family.As her commitment to finding the truth intensifies, what Allie ultimately uncovers is far worse than she imagined. Her own sister has been hiding a dark secret—one that holds the key to Allie’s freedom.

About the Author

Laura McNeill is a writer, web geek, travel enthusiast, and coffee drinker. In her former life, she was a television news anchor for CBS News affiliates in New York and Alabama. Laura holds a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and is completing a graduate program in interactive technology at the University of Alabama. When she’s not writing and doing homework, she enjoys running, yoga, and spending time at the beach. She lives in Mobile, AL with her family.

Review

​Accused of a murder she did not commit, Allie Marshal is sent to jail for a decade. Released for an early parole, all Allie wants is her life back and to reconnect with her daughter. But when Allie returns home it shatters the peace of the community and especially from Allie’s claim of not committing murder. Allie is determined to discover what happened that fateful night when she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But the truths that Allie discovers may be far worse than she ever could have dreamed. Sisters should be the very best of friends, even with the typical sibling rivalry. But Emma, Allie’s younger sister, has always felt inferior and all may not be exactly what it seems.

Written from the point of view of Allie, Emma, and Allie’s daughter Caroline, Dear Sister is a mysterious and intriguing story that will hook readers from page one and keep them on the edges of their seats the entire book long. Filled with suspense and thrills, readers will not be able to put down this fascinating and mysterious contemporary read. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy contemporary suspense novels.

I am so thrilled to announce the release of The Independent One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance. Find it on Amazon * Goodreads

Haley Turnbow escapes to the tropical Isla del Sol for an ideal vacation with her five-year old. She doesn’t plan on the resident ghost stalking her and the island’s fine-looking owner drawing her in with his confident, fun personality.
Cal Johnson is king of his own island, happy and busy. A beautiful mom and her wild little boy flip his world upside down. He falls in love with both of them knowing they’re going to leave at the end of their vacation and he might not recover from the loss.
Can these two independent adults trust their hearts or is it not worth the risk?

Excerpt:

A tall, well-built man swept in before Haley could reach Taz and easily lifted her boy into his arms. “Hey, bud, you’re not supposed to do flips on this staircase, that’s for the diving board.”

Taz laughed and Haley’s heart slowed a few beats. “Taz,” she cried out.

The man turned with her son and she noticed dimples and blue eyes, but she could only focus on her boy. Taz launched himself into her arms. Haley held him close, inhaling the baby lotion he kept claiming he was too old for. She took several long breaths as she tried to reassure herself he was okay.

Their rescuer turned to the older couple. “Are you both all right?” he asked.

“Oh, sure,” the man said, his arm around his wife’s waist. They were a darling couple, dressed to the nines with her hair perfectly coiffed and his hair missing.

“Is the little boy okay?” the woman asked, patting her hair.

“I think so,” Haley said. “I’m so sorry he hit you.”

“No, dear, I’m just fine.”

Haley nodded, grateful for their graciousness. She checked Taz for injuries. He had some rug burns on his face and elbow, but thankfully only the one on his elbow was bleeding. “Oh, bud, you scared me! Do you hurt anywhere?”

“Nothing ‘cept my endbow.” Taz held up his arm for her to see. “Kiss it?”

Haley laughed shakily and kissed near the ouchy spot. “We’ll find you a Band-aid.”

The man with the dimples turned back to her as the older couple wished them well and headed down the hallway to the shops. He placed a warm hand on her back. “Ma’am, can I take him from you? You’re shaking like a belly dancer.”

Haley laughed, but clung tighter to Taz. This was her little man and she wasn’t about to hand him over to some stranger—she couldn’t resist looking the man over—no matter how intriguing the contrast between his dark hair and skin and his deep blue eyes. “I have specialized belly dancer training so it’s okay.”

His dimples deepened. “Nice.”

“Thank you for your help Mr…”

“Johnson.” He kept his arm on her back and wrapped his other hand around her elbow. His hands were strong and warm and she couldn’t help but notice how nicely he smelled, a great combination of musk and man. “Come up to my office so I can check both of you out.”

Haley bristled. The only men she let tell her what to do were her dad and her brother. Scratch that, the only men who ever tried to tell her what to do, but failed, were her dad and her brother. She shook him off. “Sorry, not going to some strange dude’s office and nobody needs to check me out.”

He laughed. “My apologies, ma’am, but I’ve already checked you out.” He pumped his eyebrows and she was struck by the fact that he was much too attractive and much too friendly.

About the Book

Tess has lovingly supported her boyfriend James the past three years while he attended law school, with the promise that when he graduates they will get married. She has ran errands for him and allowed him plenty of time to fulfill school obligations. James’s parents are throwing a huge graduation party for him and he has hinted to Tess that he a special surprise for the party. At the party though, Tess is shocked when James announces he is taking a prestige internship in New York, far away from where they now live. Feeling emotional and humiliated, Tess leaves the party early. Once back at the apartment that she shares with her sister, Hope, Tess comes up with the idea to go visit her mother in California. After making arrangements, she hopes in her car and drives all night to go be with her mom and so they can also discuss James’s bad behavior. Tess arrives at her mom’s way too early in the morning to ring the bell. So she goes to the beach and turns on her phone to discover a dozen or so missed calls, a few phone messages, and several texts, all from James. After turning her phone back off Tess hears James calling her name. Has he really followed her to California? Can they make up and solve their differences, or will James just break her heart again?

About the Author

Annette Lyon is a Whitney Award winner, a 3-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction and the author of over a dozen novels, about as many novellas, a cookbook, and a grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s part of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, a senior editor at Precision Editing Group, and a cum laude graduate from BYU with a degree in English. When she’s not writing, editing, knitting, or eating chocolate, she can be found mothering and avoiding the spots on the kitchen floor.

Review

Chasing Tess is a short, sweet novella that readers will love. From page one readers will be connected with the main characters and their feelings, Tess and her boyfriend James. Tess and James have been going out for the past three years and he promised that once he finished law school they would get married. But at a huge and fancy graduation party put on by his parent’s, James humiliates Tess in front of everyone. Tess thought for sure he was proposing, even though she would have preferred a much less formal setting, but instead he announces to the party attenders that he has accepted a prestigious internship in New York. Devastated and shocked, Tess runs from the party, packs a bag and drives to her mother’s ocean side cottage. James is shocked at Tess’ reaction, but when he starts thinking about it and after talking to Tess’ sister, he realizes how big of a fool he has been and just how much he needs Tess. Filled with a wonderful relationship and sweet romance, this novella is a lovely read.

About the Book

And she can handle that he is fantastically talented, and competent, and funny, and sweet, and . . . . well, all of the things he is.

What she isn’t sure she can handle is that he and his country band have suddenly become wildly famous.

Even though she has always known that he near worships her, with millions of girls now throwing themselves at him, Kate is afraid that Jason will find he no longer loves Kate best. Then, when she discovers something completely earth shattering, it only makes her more unsure.

Realizing that she can never settle for less than absolute devotion, as she is struggling to find what her place will be in Jason’s new top of the charts world, Kate wonders how you can ever truly know that things will work out.

About the Author

​Kristin Cross was a mostly obedient child—unless her mom wanted her to put her book down.

She grew up in the Rockies and traveled with her family enough to want to travel more and have adventures in all those exotic looking places on the map that she hasn’t been to—yet. Now, as an adult, she also loves relaxing at home in the mountains and coming up with stories about those places.

Motherhood has been her best time yet, and she wishes she’d had more than just four marvelous children. She loves a good storm, a beautiful sunset, the wind in her face, puppies, and fresh mangos with her shrimp.

Review

​Falcon Song by Kristin Cross is a bittersweet romance that tugs at your heart strings. Throughout the book there is much pain and sorrow, but joy as well. One tragic night Kate and her best friend Jason end up sleeping together after becoming drunk. Both losing their virginity and breaking a promise they had made to one another. Heartbroken and hurt by the man that Jason has become due to his popularity with his country band, Kate leaves home after discovering she is pregnant so she can “protect” her child. Though there is pain, there is also glimpses of joy. But the question still remains. Can they still find love in the end? This story will grab readers from page one with the intensity of Kate and Jason’s love and their tragic love story. I would recommend this novel to readers of contemporary romance.

About the Book

“Promise me, Ethan, no matter what, you must stay here! You can’t make a sound! Promise me you won’t!”Caught in the middle of a massacre in Lawrence, Kansas, during the Civil War, Leah Donaldson, a twenty-year-old Mormon governess, must risk everything to save two children in her care—and she lives to pay dearly for the decision. Young Ethan Pace loves Leah and can hardly stay still as she is taken away by the enemy for refusing to reveal where he and his sister are hiding.Five years later, Ethan desperately searches for her, trying to reconcile all that has happened and grappling with his feelings for her. Still idealizing Leah, he hopes she has survived and that he can help her get to Zion and her people. But after everything she’s been through since they last met, will Leah overcome her regrets and allow love into her life? Will she come to see Ethan as the caring man he has become rather than the lovesick boy she once knew?

About the Author

An award-winning public school teacher for nearly thirty years in Southern Idaho, Lynne Larson has written numerous articles, essays, and short stories for both regional and national publications. Since her retirement from the classroom, she has continued to promote education, particularly in history and literature, and is a frequent speaker for book clubs and service groups. She has published six novels, all of which generally reflect her love of Western lore and Americana. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Mrs. Larson also holds an MA in English from Idaho State University. She and her husband, Kent, currently live in American Fork, Utah. They are the parents of three grown children.

Review

​Lynne Larson’s Loving Leah, is about a young Mormon woman, Leah, who is orphaned and then left behind when her people are driven from Nauvoo. She now takes care of the Pace children, Ethan and Addie, while there father is away fighting in the war. Caught in the massacre in Lawrence, Kansas, Leah gives her life and innocence to save the lives of the Pace children. Many hears later, after the Pace family has expanded with a stepmother and stepsiblings, Ethan embarks on a journey across the country in a search for his beloved Leah. A somewhat sad, but striking tale, Lynne has written a story that will draw readers in from page one as not only Ethan, but readers alike fall in love with the beloved Leah. This well-written story is intriguingly from the perspective of a young boy. With a fascinating story along with the realistic characters, this is historical novel that readers will not want to miss.

About the Book

Dear Fellow Christian Writer,

We are pleased to share these devotional thoughts from Christian writers to Christian writers. We pray you might see yourself here and gain encouragement to keep writing for His glory. This devotional book was born out of a two-day class at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. During the class we shared the good, the bad, and the ugly of writing for the Lord. Just as we are encouraged in the Word to spur each other on, we did this during our few hours together. Within these pages we hope to spur you on in your calling to write for Him.

Proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to the scholarship fund for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (www.brmcwc.com).

The Authors

Review

​The Mighty Pen is a book where Christian writers creating inspiring and uplifting devotionals to motivate other writers. What a great way authors and potential authors to think through their writing process and be encouraged to write that story that is floating around in their head. Written by various authors these devotionals and prompt questions are great encouragement for fellow authors. I would recommend this book to anyone that is considering writing a novel.

A Kiss and a Dream by Linda Andrews She escapes with a dead woman's name and finds sanctuary with a widower reeling from his wife's betrayal. Can a love built on lies survive the truth? Gretchen Foltz honors her late father's request and ends up locked in the workhouse by her greedy brother. Dreaming of a home and freedom, she embarks on a dangerous winter journey. She awakes in a stranger's home. Hiding behind a lie, she discovers a man worthy of her trust. Kian Bryne is struggling to feed his four children. The last thing he needs is to rescue a woman stranded on the ice and running from her own demons. With his rich in-laws threatening to take custody his children, he'll make a desperate alliance to keep his family together. When a simple kiss shatters their agreement, he's left yearning for more. Can they untangle the lies before someone separates them forever? Excerpt: In this scene, Gretchen learns that Kian has a secret dream to be a carriage driver on the island. She has a dream of her own and knows the power of them, so she is determined to help him achieve his goal. "It was a stupid dream. I should sell it, ta pay ya." Kian jerked the covering into place and turned away. "Nein. No." She followed him. "Dream is not stupid. Dream is good." She slowed down to hit the correct sound at the end. Just so he understood. He yanked pieces of oak from the pile near the door and dropped them into her pail. "I help you vith your dream." She pulled out the bigger pieces and returned them to the stack before tugging the handle from his grip. Selecting the right size for the cook stove, she filled her bucket. "You see." "Why?" He stared at the wood pile and huddled in his jacket. She didn't want to think too hard about the why. Instead, she clasped the pail to her chest and hustled for the door. He beat her there and pushed back the snow, so she could squeeze through the opening. Before she exited, he stayed her with a hand on her arm. "Why?" "Because I have the dreams, too. And you are helping to make them true." She ducked under his arm and walked into the cold. More than he knew. Maybe more than was safe for her heart. Author Linda Andrews Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: “What else would she write? She’s never been normal.” All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion and she’s followed that passion into history, the future, and beyond. Sometimes, she incorporates her science background and other times, she allows the magic of love to take center stage in sweet historicals.

Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/11/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Book

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever--if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Books in the Series

About the Author

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music, and theater.

Review

​What a fun read! Rachel McMillan’s debut novel is filled with fun characters and an extremely entertaining storyline. If you think the title of this noel is a delight, just wait until you read this exciting book! This is the story of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson—oh wait I mean two bachelor girls and female detectives, Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts and their adventures in trying to solve the murder of some local girls. What an exciting and suspenseful story. I had a great time reading this fairly quick and delightful novel! I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical, mystery tales.

Other books in the series:
0.5-A Singular and Whimsical Problem
1.5-Of Dubious and Questionable Memory
2-A Lesson in Love and Murder
​A review copy of this book was provided by Rachel's Herringford and Watts Conclave Review Team.

Giveaway

About the Book

This summer, Nathaniel Cavanaugh vacations in Lobster Cove to spend quality time with his kids after his estranged wife’s tragic death. Successful and well-connected, he is on the fast-track to the highest legal positions in the country, but his family life suffers. After an accident throws Val nearly into his lap and costs her a job opportunity, Nathaniel surprises himself by overlooking her outlandish appearance and lack of qualifications to offer her a job as his nanny for the summer.Valdosta McKinley wishes for an internship at a Paris Art Institute to use her newly acquired art-history skills. She knows Nathaniel could never develop feelings for a girl from a trailer in a rural West Virginia holler—a lesson she learned the hard way years earlier.Will pursuit of their professional goals require Nathaniel and Val to give up the dream of being a family?

About the Author

Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that is anything but romantic. She suffers from an unhealthy addiction to 18th and 19th century military history and literature. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was on board a frigate during the Age of Sail.

Excerpt

The crashing of waves soothed him and let him relax as he enjoyed the warm drink. His eyes drifted shut.
“Mr. Cavanaugh?”
With a start, he opened his eyes. “I really think you should call me Nathaniel.” He was starting to getdrowsy.
“Sir, that would be completely inappropriate, not when I’m working for you.”
“That’s true, but sometimes you don’t seem like an employee.”
Val raised her eyes and their gazes met. “I don’t act very professional, do I?”
“That’s not what I meant. Sometimes, you seem
more like a friend.” Nathaniel could tell that his guard was down. Why did talking to someone at night free people of their inhibitions? He needed to be careful not to say anything he’d regret.
Val picked at her nails. “I need to thank you again for coming to get me. It’s the second time you’ve rescued me. I’m not doing very well in the whole ‘being an independent woman’ department, am I?”
“That’s what friends do.” He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the chair. Moments later, he sleepily registered Val had moved the blanket to cover him and took the empty mug from his hand, but he was too tired to do more than mutter, “Thanks.”
“Good night, Nathaniel.”

Review

​Change of Heart book one in the Lobster Cove Series by Jennifer Moore is a sweet, swoon worthy romance that readers will thoroughly enjoy. Nathaniel and Val come from two different worlds. He is rich and on his way to a successful, high legal position and Val is an art historian. But when they are thrown together for a summer as Val nanny’s his kids, everything changes. They fall in love, but will it last, or will tragedies from the past and the pressure of a political career tear apart a beautiful love story? A novel that will grip you from page one, Jennifer’s realistic characters and summer love story will have readers ready for another Lobster Cove story.

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/1/16
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.